Over the past 26 years, we’ve licensed over 119,000 well being, diet, and health professionals. Every month, we acknowledge one in all our distinguished graduates who use what they’ve discovered to encourage others and make a distinction.
Meet our graduate for the month of February, Dr. Maria Banks, an AFPA certified Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness Specialist
How did you initially turn into concerned about well being and health?
I initially turned concerned about well being and health throughout my freshman yr of school. I majored in rehabilitation sciences, as I’ve at all times been concerned about well being and serving to others. I made a decision that I ought to pay extra consideration to my well being if I used to be going to assist others within the well being area. Throughout my freshman yr, I began exercising extra and gained a significant appreciation for health.
I began learning one of the best workouts for my physique sort whereas taking group health courses and understanding within the fitness center with buddies. Since then, I’ve at all times taken my well being severely by sustaining a constant fitness center routine and a nutritious diet.
What certification did you select, and why did you select AFPA?
I selected the Prenatal and Postnatal Health Specialist Certification from AFPA. I selected this as a result of I’ve at all times needed to turn into a coach, however I at all times made excuses to not pursue it as a profession. As soon as I turned pregnant, I needed to proceed exercising, however I had a troublesome time discovering a coach who may assist me with correct workouts. After recognizing the necessity for this specialised coaching in my space, I made a decision to pursue this specialty.
I researched applications and got here throughout the certification from AFPA. After reviewing what was included, seeing that it’s nationally acknowledged, and looking out on the evaluations, I knew that I needed to get this certification by AFPA. I like that they’ve a ton of assets to assist their graduates and felt they might finest meet my wants. I’m truly about to get the Diet & Wellness Guide Certification subsequent!
What was your profession like previous to changing into licensed?
Previous to changing into licensed, I used to be working as an occupational therapist for just a little over ten years. I labored with adults following an sickness or harm to assist them get better and dwell extra fulfilling lives. As I used to be getting my certification, I used to be working in a talented nursing facility in the course of the pandemic with constructive sufferers whereas pregnant; it was a high-stress surroundings on the time.
What’s your profession like now?
I’m now the proprietor of The Well being Mamas, which is an organization I began to assist pregnant and postnatal girls keep wholesome and match all through being pregnant and motherhood. I mix my expertise as a Physician of Occupational Remedy and Pre/Submit Natal Health Specialist to offer well being and health companies to my shoppers just about and in particular person.
I’ve at all times seen the worth in caring in your well being and have at all times needed to assist folks take preventative measures to assist stop sure illnesses and diseases. Too many individuals wait till one thing unhealthy occurs with their well being to start out caring. As I used to be growing my enterprise, I noticed a significant want for pregnant and postnatal girls to take higher care of their well being. My objective is to teach girls on the significance of taking cost of their well being and assist them dwell wholesome, extra fulfilling lives for themselves and their little ones. The profession I’ve now permits me to do what I’ve at all times needed to do!
What are your favourite elements of your profession?
I get pleasure from each side of my profession. I get pleasure from educating and serving to different girls study methods to dwell wholesome, extra fulfilling lives. I respect the flexibleness of my schedule, particularly with being a brand new mother. It permits me to spend high quality time with my household whereas additionally having a satisfying profession. I additionally respect the connections I’ve made with different professionals on this house; I’ve discovered a lot worthwhile info to assist others.
How has changing into licensed with AFPA impacted your life?
Changing into licensed with AFPA has fully modified my life. I’m able to use the specialised data that I gained from my certification to make a huge effect on my neighborhood. I’m able to educate, coach, and practice mothers to dwell more healthy lives. I really feel that I’m making a real distinction within the lives of my shoppers. I additionally get pleasure from extra work/life stability as a consequence of a extra versatile schedule and a much less demanding work surroundings. I now have a profession that I worth, and I really feel like I’m making a real distinction.
Do you may have any shopper success tales you wish to share?
I really like listening to my shoppers’ success tales. It makes me really feel that I’m actually making a distinction of their lives! There are two testimonials that I wish to share.
I’ve a shopper who is 2 years postpartum. She tried varied applications however by no means caught with them as she felt like she wasn’t gaining something from the applications. I created a specialised program for her to handle her particular targets. Inside a month of working with me, she seen a major change in her power and performance.
I additionally had a shopper who skilled with me whereas pregnant. She had hip and again ache all through her second trimester. She began coaching with me, and I created an train plan particular to her wants; she seen a lower in ache. She additionally loved coming to my group health courses, as she was in a position to mingle with different girls on her similar journey.
What recommendation do you give others fascinated about changing into licensed?
To others who’re fascinated about changing into licensed, I’d say to utterly go along with a program from AFPA. They’ve many certifications that can enable you meet your shoppers’ wants if you wish to work within the well being and health area. Additionally they supply a ton of assets for his or her graduates to assist them keep up-to-date with the newest within the well being and health area, which is extraordinarily useful with such a profession. I’m glad that I went with a certification from AFPA, as I really feel totally supported as an entrepreneur within the well being and health area.
To attach with Genny, comply with her on Instagram for extra info or go to https://www.thehealthmamas.com/ to study extra.
